Turkey and Greece Clash Over Historical Allegations
Turkey's Tensions with Greece
Turkey is currently in the spotlight as it engages in a dispute with Greece, a fellow NATO member, following tensions with India. The two nations are embroiled in a war of words over historical events. This conflict traces back to a war in 1919, which Greece commemorated recently, accusing Turkey of atrocities against the Pontic Greeks who lost their lives during that time. In response, Turkey condemned the statements made by Greek officials on the anniversary of what it termed 'baseless Pontic allegations.'
Turkey's Response to Greek Accusations
In a written statement, Turkey's Foreign Ministry accused Greece of distorting history and attempting to undermine bilateral relations. The ministry denounced the Greek officials' remarks as being far removed from historical facts. Turkey dismissed the allegations from Greece as 'imaginary,' asserting that they aim to tarnish the reputation of the Turkish War of Independence, which began on May 19, 1919, under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
Allegations and Historical Context
Turkey further criticized Greece for allegedly misreading its own history, labeling the accusations regarding the war as unfounded. While Greece referenced the Pontic Greeks, Turkey pointed to the Anatolia region, asserting that it is a 'historical reality' that the Greek army committed atrocities there. The ministry cited a report from an investigative commission and Article 59 of the Treaty of Lausanne, which documents Greece's violations of the laws of war.
Efforts to Mend Relations
Despite the ongoing tensions, Turkey expressed a desire to repair relations. The statement concluded by urging an end to initiatives that rekindle historical animosities and harm the progress made in recent years between the two nations.
Greek President's Remarks
The exchange of accusations began when the Greek President commemorated the 1919 war and targeted Turkey for its alleged atrocities. President Konstantinos Tsoukalas marked the anniversary of the Pontic Genocide on May 19, which Greece officially recognized in 1994, acknowledging the murder of 370,000 Greeks living along the Black Sea coast between 1914 and 1923.